Getting a flat tire is something you may not worry about right now, but, sooner or later, you will most likely get one. It will probably happen at the most inconvenient time, like when you’re heading to school, going to work, or during a road trip where you’re miles away from any auto shop, meaning you’ll have to replace the tire yourself. But don’t worry — it is a simple task, even if you know nothing about cars.
A flat tire can happen at any given moment. With so many high schoolers being able to drive, knowing how to replace a tire is a great skill. It can keep you from being stranded and can even save you some money.
“Me and my dad were in Oxnard for a soccer tournament,” Manuel Gonzalez Jr. (12) said. “[We] realized that we had a flat, but, luckily, my dad knew how to change the tire and we didn’t have to call AAA, which would’ve costed us a lot of money just to get us to a car shop.”
Some newer cars may not have a spare tire, but a “run-flat” tire, which can be driven short distances at reduced speeds while they are losing air, allowing you to get to the nearest shop to replace your tire(s).
Step One
If you feel like your car is shaking and like you’re driving on a super bumpy road, that’s a common indicator that you have a flat tire. You should slow down first, find a solid and safe spot to pull over, and stay away from traffic as much as possible. It is also important to turn on your hazards in this situation.
Step Two
Locate the tools you’ll need to change the tire; these include the car jack, lug wrench, and spare tire. Make sure to double check that your spare isn’t flat as well. You’ll find these items beneath the loading floor of your trunk. Some vehicles, such as trucks and SUVs, carry their spare tires underneath the back of the vehicle. Before you raise your car, use the lug wrench to loosen up your lug nuts, but make sure that you do not remove them until you’ve raised up your car. For some cars, there is a specific location underneath the vehicle that the car jack must go to properly raise your car. They are located behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels. If you cannot find these points, you can look in your owner’s manual for their location.
Step Three
After loosening the lug nuts and locating the jack points, you can start lifting your car. You can do this by rotating the jack by hand and raising it up. Then, use the lug wrench and your body weight to fully raise your car. After the car is raised, remove the lug nuts and switch the flat for the spare tire. Make sure to put your tire in front or behind your car to keep it away from traffic.
Step Four
After replacing the tire, put the lug nuts back into place using the star pattern. This is to ensure that the wheel is snugly in place and will not be wobbling around while you are driving. Now, you can bring down the car, put away all your tools, and place the flat tire underneath the loading floor of your trunk.
Step Five
Locate the nearest auto shop. Remember that spare tires aren’t meant for traveling long distances or at high speeds, so it is dangerous to do so and could cause further damage to your car.
There are a few things you can do to prevent a flat tire. One of them is checking your tire pressure. Most cars require a tire pressure of 28-36 pounds per square inch, but check the door placard to find the information you need; you can find this in the driver’s side door. The same information can be found in your owner’s manual. Rotating your wheels is also a good way to avoid a flat tire, as this helps the wheels avoid uneven wear and will prolong the wheel’s life span.
For more information and a more visual explanation, “How to Change a Flat Tire Quickly and Safely” includes short videos on each step.